HMS Students Strive for Excellence

Horizon Middle School kicked off the 2019-20 school year Renaissance Fair Aug 23. Games, excitement and a flash mob were part of the first assembly of the year to help students stay focused on their journey to education excellence.

Students were randomly chosen by Renaissance Man to spin the money wheel, where students could win up to eight, one dollar bills. Other students were chosen to participate in other games and activites.

Jostens Renaissance is a program that emphasis respecting, recognizing and rewarding students, to obtain results. Dustin Horras, principal, brought the program to HMS five years ago in order to revamp the culture and climate.

Horizon has been collecting data yearly and the number of students who have made Renaissance has increased by 400%. HMS was recognized at the National Jostens Renaissance Conference in July with this positive data.

"Our students are giving more effort and enjoy being at school," said Elizabeth Dalzell-Wagers, assistant prinicpal. "Each quarter students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher and no behavior referrals are in and receive the goodies for the entire quarter, it can be small things like popsicles, hat day or early lunches."